UW Human Resources

Focus Areas:Mitochondrial Biology & Genomics

Introduction

Mitochondrial biology is a general term that refers to the numerous ways in which this vital organelle influences bioenergetics and signaling, and how alterations in mitochondrial function contribute to human diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, aging, and neurodegeneration. Mitochondria also contain their own genetic material, damage to which can influence overall health of the organism. Clinically, mitochondrial deficiencies dramatically impact the sensitivity of patients to anesthesia. The Mitochondria and Metabolism Center was established by the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine to bring together researchers with diverse interests in cell metabolism and signaling, bioenergetics, metabolomics, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial genomics, and inborn mitochondrial diseases, with the common goal of translating basic findings into relevant clinical treatments.